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This review may contain spoilers
Starts slow, then hits stride—thanks to one actor and 90% character-driven chaos
One of the earliest and most iconic stories of lookalikes switching places is Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper, which inspired the movie Masquerade, which this show is based on. After a sluggish start, this drama picked up steam about 4 episodes in, when the real king Yi Heon disappears mostly from the screen. I almost dropped this drama, and deemed it listless, but Yeo Jin Goo’s performance as both the real and the faux ruler impressed me. While I don’t remember seeing him elsewhere, perhaps in smaller roles, his presence as Ha Seon was truly magnificent.
Having watched Lee Se Young in three projects this year, her performance as the queen is exactly what I expected. Not to be outdone is Kim Sang Kyung in his role as the Royal Secretary, a man who has done many questionable things in the name of king and country. He plays the role of Lee Gyu so magnificently that we can’t help but empathise with him, even when he makes decisions that are even against our own moral standards. From Eunuch Jo to the detestable Kwon Hae Hyo as Shin Chi Soo, the rest of the cast delivered exceptional performances; his actions were so loathsome, I wanted to maim him.
In terms of plot, the drama had captivating moments but also some slow parts. The drama progressed as far as it did only because of the character’s actions driving it forward. It’s true that comparing a melodrama to a light rom-com is like comparing apples and oranges; therefore, it’s not surprising I wasn’t in stitches watching it. Though it included some comedic elements, they were infrequent.
Though there was one character that I found extremely irritating. Most would probably guess it’s one of the villains, but they’d be wrong. It is Ha Seon’s sister, Dal Rae, who frustrated me to no end. A naive farm girl’s lack of worldly experience is understandable, yet her actions didn’t suggest a life on the streets with clowns. Let me be clear: I don’t blame her for being assaulted. Yes, that crime was the perpetrator’s sole responsibility. But it was her actions afterward, like how after being traumatized, I would have thought she’d learn her lesson and NOT go off on her own. Despite repeated warnings from her uncle to stay put (or at least stay close to him), morbid curiosity led her to the small hut where the real king was imprisoned. Though unsure of who he is, Dal Rae follows the real Yi Heon throughout the city streets, carries a knife that clearly isn’t hers, resulting in her arrest and risking her brother’s exposure. Why on earth does she continually endanger herself and cause others such worry?
Another thing that bothers me is the way Lee Gyu and Eunuch Jo discuss Ha Seon openly. They say his name so many times, at the risk of being eavesdropped. To avoid confusion, why not use a variation of the real king’s name when referring to him? Have they not learned at all that walls have ears? Can’t they be more covert? I suppose not; otherwise, the villains’ wicked plans would have been revealed sooner. It could just be my own particular issue, but a problem nonetheless.
My rant aside, this show is a decent watch for those who appreciate character-driven shows, a dash of romance, and a heavy dose of political intrigue. It's not the best historical K-drama out there, but it's neither the worst.
Having watched Lee Se Young in three projects this year, her performance as the queen is exactly what I expected. Not to be outdone is Kim Sang Kyung in his role as the Royal Secretary, a man who has done many questionable things in the name of king and country. He plays the role of Lee Gyu so magnificently that we can’t help but empathise with him, even when he makes decisions that are even against our own moral standards. From Eunuch Jo to the detestable Kwon Hae Hyo as Shin Chi Soo, the rest of the cast delivered exceptional performances; his actions were so loathsome, I wanted to maim him.
In terms of plot, the drama had captivating moments but also some slow parts. The drama progressed as far as it did only because of the character’s actions driving it forward. It’s true that comparing a melodrama to a light rom-com is like comparing apples and oranges; therefore, it’s not surprising I wasn’t in stitches watching it. Though it included some comedic elements, they were infrequent.
Though there was one character that I found extremely irritating. Most would probably guess it’s one of the villains, but they’d be wrong. It is Ha Seon’s sister, Dal Rae, who frustrated me to no end. A naive farm girl’s lack of worldly experience is understandable, yet her actions didn’t suggest a life on the streets with clowns. Let me be clear: I don’t blame her for being assaulted. Yes, that crime was the perpetrator’s sole responsibility. But it was her actions afterward, like how after being traumatized, I would have thought she’d learn her lesson and NOT go off on her own. Despite repeated warnings from her uncle to stay put (or at least stay close to him), morbid curiosity led her to the small hut where the real king was imprisoned. Though unsure of who he is, Dal Rae follows the real Yi Heon throughout the city streets, carries a knife that clearly isn’t hers, resulting in her arrest and risking her brother’s exposure. Why on earth does she continually endanger herself and cause others such worry?
Another thing that bothers me is the way Lee Gyu and Eunuch Jo discuss Ha Seon openly. They say his name so many times, at the risk of being eavesdropped. To avoid confusion, why not use a variation of the real king’s name when referring to him? Have they not learned at all that walls have ears? Can’t they be more covert? I suppose not; otherwise, the villains’ wicked plans would have been revealed sooner. It could just be my own particular issue, but a problem nonetheless.
My rant aside, this show is a decent watch for those who appreciate character-driven shows, a dash of romance, and a heavy dose of political intrigue. It's not the best historical K-drama out there, but it's neither the worst.
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